Chapter 143 Has He Acquainted with Someone He Loves?
Yan Cang nodded: "Mm."
Yan Chen fell silent, and some scenes from his childhood surfaced in his mind, causing him to feel a pang of guilt.
He knew he was an indifferent person.
I once had the world in my heart—and I still do now.
He was eager to contribute to the prosperity of the Yong Dynasty.
But his selfishness lies in the fact that he lacks the magnanimity to sacrifice himself for others.
If he were to choose a woman and successfully inherit the throne, he would certainly strive to be a wise and benevolent emperor, laying a solid foundation for the continued prosperity of his royal descendants.
But the one he liked was Shen Jingbai.
This is a relationship that no one will accept, and they are destined not to have children.
A prince without offspring is not eligible to inherit the throne.
His father once thought he was sick and had something wrong with his mind, and tried almost everything to change his mind, even threatening him with death.
But Yan Chen knew what he wanted.
When personal feelings conflict with the interests of the nation, he only wants to uphold his own feelings, and everything else has to take a backseat to his relationship with Shen Jingbai.
So even when his father was furious and the court flogging almost broke his bones, he never bowed his head and submitted.
Even if he dies, he will not regret choosing this relationship.
But Yan Chen is a smart person, even smarter than the average person.
He could see his own selfishness, his father's heartbreak and disappointment, and he realized what this choice would bring. He was just being stubborn and wishful... no, he and Shen Jingbai were both willing to hold on to this "precious" and special relationship.
He overlooked his father's earnest expectations for him since childhood, and ignored the slight tenderness in his father's heart even in the face of thunderous rage.
The emperor's ruthlessness and resentment lasted only two years.
Two years later, the guards of the Prince's Mansion were removed. In fact, it was the Emperor's way of admitting defeat first. But he and Shen Jingbai still clung to their insignificant pride and refused to bow their heads... Looking back now, it's really laughable.
"What are you thinking about?" A familiar voice rang in his ears, interrupting Yan Chen's thoughts.
Yan Chen snapped out of his daze and realized that Shen Jingbai had come over, while Yan Cang, who had been sitting opposite him, had left with Chu Yunjin at some point.
Yan Chen looked up at Shen Jingbai, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Have you finished talking?"
"Um."
"What did you talk about?"
Shen Jingbai said, "I have answered several questions from the Princess Consort of Yan."
Prince Chen stood up and stared at him intently: "Jing Bai."
"Hmm?" The low voice held a gentleness and tolerance that only he had ever witnessed.
Yan Chen held his hand and looked down at him closely.
Shen Jingbai's hands were very beautiful, long and slender, fair and flawless. They were once a pair of hands that could turn the tide. During the four years he stayed in the Prince's Mansion, he could not be said to have lived a life of luxury, but he certainly did not suffer much hardship.
These hands are still so beautiful.
Yan Chen sighed softly, "I want to go to the palace and talk to my father."
Upon hearing this, Shen Jingbai showed no emotional fluctuation on his face, and simply said in his usual gentle manner, "I'll go with you."
"Okay." Yan Chen smiled, stood up, took his hand, and walked out together.
Shen Jingbai lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes falling on the two people's clasped hands, his gaze gentle, and he remained silent.
...
Yan Cang led Chu Yunjin away first.
Yan Chen and Shen Jingbai also left without alerting anyone.
The housewarming celebrations are still going strong.
There are many guests attending the banquet today, and they all bring generous gifts to congratulate Princess Zhaoyang on having her own princess residence before she is even married.
Everything was peaceful during the meal, and no one was ungrateful enough to cause any unpleasantness.
But Yan Jinyue is, after all, a princess, and she has just been granted the title of Princess Zhaoyang.
The emperor also bestowed upon her a princess's residence.
Her mother was Consort Gu, who was released from the Cold Palace and continued to be the most favored concubine. Her elder brother held military power and was the most powerful among all the princes.
With such unparalleled popularity and having just broken off her engagement, how many eyes in the capital were watching this princess?
"Your Highness, your previous engagement has been dissolved. Shouldn't you be considering another marriage?" A well-dressed lady stepped forward and said with a smile, her meaning clear: "I wonder if the princess has found someone she loves?"
Yan Jinyue nodded: "I've got it."
"You...you're pregnant?" The lady paused, clearly not expecting such a reply. "The princess has found someone she loves so quickly?"
Yan Jinyue recognized the other person as the wife of the Minister of Personnel.
This lady has a well-educated and sensible daughter, and a good-for-nothing son. I heard that he is quite handsome, but he has never liked studying or practicing martial arts since he was a child. He is nineteen years old this year and has accomplished nothing.
His future career in government is probably over, but if he can become a member of the imperial family, he can at least be guaranteed a life of wealth and comfort.
Yan Jinyue smiled and said frankly, "Yes, after all, I am already seventeen years old. When I meet an outstanding man, I should bravely express my feelings and settle down with him, so as not to be disliked when I get older."
The wife of the Minister of Personnel smiled awkwardly: "The princess is right."
During the banquet, someone spoke up: "I wonder whose young master is so handsome that he has captured Princess Zhaoyang's heart?"
This voice sounds very familiar.
Yan Jinyue turned her head and glanced at the person who asked the question, and sure enough, it was Princess Ning'an who was asking the question.
Her cheeks flushed slightly: "The man I like is naturally the most outstanding in the world. After the banquet, I will introduce him to my aunt, the Princess."
Princess Ning'an raised an eyebrow.
She thought Yan Jinyue was just making up a story, but she didn't expect that there was actually a man she liked.
Just as she was about to speak, a nanny walked in from outside the hall.
"Your Highness." The head maid entered and respectfully curtsied. "This Miss Xue has brought a jade ruyi as a congratulatory gift to wish Your Highness a happy housewarming and all the best in the future."
Yan Jinyue turned her head and saw Xue Ziying standing next to the nanny. She couldn't help but laugh and said, "Miss Xue, why are you so late? Hurry up and sit down. If you had come any later, the food would have been eaten."
Xue Ziying smiled shyly and followed the nanny to the second floor.
As the ladies at the banquet watched her slender figure from behind, one of them remarked, "Is this the Miss Xue that Prince Ming rescued from the Prime Minister's residence?"
"She's quite pretty."
"Did she come with the Ming King today?"
"I heard that after this Miss Xue was rescued, she has been living in Prince Ming's residence." The wife of the Minister of Personnel hesitated. "Could Prince Ming have taken her as a concubine?"
Yan Jinyue frowned slightly: "How is that possible? Has Madam ever seen any concubines attend such a banquet?"
That's true.
The Minister of Personnel's wife had a strange expression: "Then her living in the Prince Ming's residence is illegitimate—"
"That's my second brother's own business, who cares?" Yan Jinyue said indifferently. "Anyway, Miss Xue is qualified to be the Princess Consort of Ming."
The wife of the Minister of Personnel fell silent, shutting her mouth like a quail.
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